The Prettiest No-Makeup Makeup
In partnership with our friends at Hourglass
Whether your vibe at the office tends toward sleekly tailored pants and a blazer or you lean more toward jumpsuits and freewheeling patterns, clean-looking, subtly flattering makeup always works. Small flourishes—beautifully filled-in brows, a flick of inky mascara, a dash of luminizing setting powder—light up and define your face in a much more natural way than does a more full-on application.
We love this polished, understated look for the minimal effort (and skill) it requires and for its crisp professionalism. The formula—six steps in total, but feel free to cherry-pick—centers around clean, beautifully defined brows, glowy skin, and a natural pop of color where it counts. It should go on in (way) under five minutes and leave you fresh-faced and pulled-together for the entire day.
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1
Brow Pencil
Any makeup artist will vouch for the fact that shaping and sometimes tinting or adding volume to your brows has the power to energize your entire face. This pencil is brilliantly slim with a flat tip that’s perfect for creating small, thin brushstrokes to fill in gaps. (Thicker pencils tend to create bolder, harsh lines that look less natural.) Whether you’re overplucked or just want to spruce up your current shape, it leaves your brows lustrous, defined, and naturally stunning. To find your most flattering shade, choose one that’s a touch lighter than your natural hair color. Resist the urge to go darker, which can look jarring against your complexion.
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2
Mascara for
DefinitionLong, fluttery, shiny lashes leave you looking instantly more awake. One or two coats of mascara makes your eyes look brighter and bigger, and this formula from Beautycounter goes on smoothly—and stays on.
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3
Foundation/
Concealer StickThe best way to use foundation is sparingly: Cover only problem areas, rather than your whole face. This creamy formula miraculously works as both foundation and concealer, leaves skin impossibly radiant, and comes in a fantastically portable stick.
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4
Setting Powder
for a Flawlessly
Natural FinishEven people who don’t normally go for setting powder fall in love with this one that brightens as it softly mattifies. Dust it over bare skin—it feels impossibly silky—or over makeup to help leave skin looking healthy and radiant.
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5
Ultraflattering
Color for Lips
and CheeksSmooth creamy pigment onto both cheeks and lips for subtle, glowy color and an instantly pulled-together look. Dab at the apples of the cheeks and/or over lips and blend with your fingers—it takes all of thirty seconds and is remarkably transformative. The invigorated flush you get is sexy, fresh, and flattering no matter what your skin type.
Balmyard Beauty Baby Love Balm
Lip + Cheek Tint in Black Rosesgoop, $32
Kosas Weightless Lip Color
in Rosewatergoop, $28
Sheer Blackberry Stain
Creamy, You-but-Better Lipstick
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6
A Touch of Gloss
Part nourishing lip treatment, part finishing touch, this rich oil blend softens and smooths lips as it adds a sexy, glossy sheen. It’s beautifully moisturizing and works no matter what your skin type (or what lip color you happen to be wearing).
